News

Read about the important science being undertaken at NIWA, and how it affects New Zealanders

  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 May 2015

    Hotspot Watch 16 May 2024

    Hotspot
    This is the final Hotspot Watch for this season. The Hotspot Watch will return in the spring.
  • Hotspot Watch 9 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 1 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 23 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 3 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 4 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 27 March 2024

    Hotspot Watch 28 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Mt Butler

    Snowline survey reveals continued shrinkage of NZ glaciers

    Media release
    New Zealand’s glaciers appear "smashed and shattered" due to enduring ice loss, says NIWA.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 14 March 2024. [NIWA]

    Hotspot Watch 22 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 14 March 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 8 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Brewster Glacier end of summer snowline survey

    Many New Zealand glaciers are headed for extinction

    Media release
    A culmination of over 45 years of research is painting a grave picture for the state of our iconic glaciers.